Kaye Grogan
June 28, 2006
Missing . . . one more true American in the Senate
By Kaye Grogan

If you want to know just how messed up many Americans are — just listen to the open call-in phone segment on C-Span every morning beginning at seven. One of the recent topics focused on whether or not a restriction on burning the American flag should be passed in congress. The bill would then be turned over to the 50 states, for possible ratification by the required number of states, not only to consider it a national disgrace to desecrate the flag, but punishable by law.

The people who would burn the American flag using "freedom of speech" as the primary reason for their actions — lack knowledge of what this freedom really means. They also have problematic inclinations, that go way beyond despising the flag and what it represents.

No, I don't worship the flag, but I do have respect and gratitude for the men and women who have already given their lives, and for those who are still serving in the military. The flag is symbolic of these sacrifices. Yes, the flag is burned when it has reached the level when it is no longer presentable due to tearing or has faded out. But this type of disposal of the flag is carried out with the utmost respect.

Why would anyone treat the flag with disrespect? To me it shows the person who is involved with desecrating the flag by stomping and spitting on it, (as it is burning) does not represent a true American. Most of these types of exhibitionists have little respect for themselves, much less tolerance for the things that tend to put them in a bad light. So, the logical next step is to excuse their actions by blaming everybody else for their shortcomings. Therefore, burning the flag takes the spotlight off of their fear to serve their country, as they attempt to point out how useless and brutal wars are (to them) — justifying their rebellious nature.

Others just point blank despise any restrictions whatsoever, and if they can avert or be successful in keeping legislation from passing to limit their bad behavior — well, they have accomplished a big feat in their eyes.

Why should flag burners be allowed to proceed with their so-called freedom of expression intact, while Valedictorian Brittany McComb's microphone was intentionally silenced as she was giving her speech to the other students and audience, because she was going to say "Christ?"

If Miss McComb a graduate of Foothills High School in Henderson, Nevada had written her speech from a liberal standpoint about how all women should have the right to an abortion, and how important it is for many schools to pass out condoms or how alternate lifestyles should be accepted — she would have received a standing ovation from the groups who advocate this type of behavior. And needless to say: the mike would have been loud and clear during her entire speech.

Freedom of speech is like a fire: while fire can warm your home in winter, it can also burn your house down. And freedom of speech can either be used with respect or greatly abused. This type of abuse destroys the very soul.

Unfortunately, one of our most fundamental rights has also become one of our worst enemies. Many people believe that free speech gives them the right to be verbally abusive to others, while at the same time these misguided people believe that their speech is protected, and those they disagree with them should be silenced.

Without guidelines and laws, society is a very dangerous place in which to live. It is the nature of mankind to be sinful. So, to many, finding justification for sin is a lot easier to live with as opposed to personal accountability.

The ill-advised senators who voted against giving congress the right to deal with the people who treat the flag with disrespect, should be ashamed of themselves. These same senators would argue that pornography is also covered by free speech. I hope all of the nay voters on this hot-button issue are eventually replaced with true American leaders.

There is something unseemly about how everything except free speech should have limitations. Oh wait just a minute!...there are limitations for people of faith.

The most popular restrictive speech predominantly imposed by Christian-haters is to bring into the argument the old and worn out claim that there needs to be separation of church and state. In other words, keep your mouth shut unless you convert your Christianity to practicing like heathens.

If you're a Christian your right to speak out is not only hindered, but many of the same senators who opposed the Flag Amendment explicitly advocate making it a hate crime if anyone opposes same-sex marriages, speaks out against demonstrators who wouldn't know how to respect or practice morality — if their life depended on it.

It's a crying shame that just one more Senator couldn't be found to join the other 66 true Americans in the senate. Those showing opposition to a Flag Amendment showed their true colors and they are not — red, white, and blue.

Hopefully, every time you look at Old Glory — you'll be forever reminded about how you deserted most Americans . . . especially, just before Independence Day.

And that's just my opinion!

© Kaye Grogan

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Kaye Grogan

Kaye Grogan is a freelance writer who lives in Virginia. She writes, produces, and hosts a daily commentary called "Viewpoint" on her local radio station... (more)

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